About this blog
I write about communication, leadership and change, drawing on a 30-year career in journalism, public relations and management.
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Category Archives: Management
To subcontract or not to subcontract, that is the question
I’ve been wrestling lately with a question that all self-employed people face at some point: to subcontract or not to subcontract. Is it better to retain the business you have, or should you farm some of it out? It’s a question … Continue reading
Posted in Entrepreneurship, Management
Tagged outsourcing, public relations, self-employment, solo practice, subcontracting
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Are you the Duck tape or Allen wrench of your organization?
Many years ago, when I first moved to Washington and started working in communications, an older and wiser colleague gave me some sage advice: “Jay, you can be a generalist or a specialist, there is no set path to success … Continue reading
Posted in Careers, Management, Organization
Tagged Allen wrench, Duck tape, generalist, management, Miles Davis, public relations, specialist
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How to make better to-do lists and get things done
Are you a list maker? I make lists all the time—in notebooks, on scratch pads, on the back of envelopes, on my iPhone, in Notes on my computer or just in my head. I keep a running list of topics … Continue reading
Posted in Management, Organization
Tagged deadlines, prioritizing, time management, to-do lists
4 Comments
Managing risk, like change, is a process: 10 tips to follow
An article I recently wrote on enterprise risk management (ERM) is the cover story in the current issue of The Federal Credit Union magazine. While ERM is a topic that probably doesn’t have much appeal beyond financial services, I think much … Continue reading
Posted in Management, Organization
Tagged change management, Credit unions, enterprise risk management, ERM, NAFCU, risk, The Federal Credit Union
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So you want to be a CEO?
Last month, an article I wrote on “Tomorrow’s Leaders” landed on the cover of The Federal Credit Union magazine, NAFCU’s bimonthly publication. Back in August, when I was interviewing credit union CEOs for the piece, I shared some of their “secrets” here on … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Management
Tagged CEO, communication skills, Credit unions, EQ, feedback, lifelong learner, mentoring, The Federal Credit Union
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Eliminate the inessentials and focus on the essentials
Sitting in a client meeting this past week, I realized that so much of our success as managers and leaders lies in determining what we can realistically accomplish—and what we can’t. Like most successful organizations, this client has talented people, lots of ideas, … Continue reading
Posted in Careers, Goal setting, Management
Tagged focus, Jim Collins, Peter Bregman, setting priorities, time management, Tom Peters, Warren Buffett
2 Comments
Seven things not to do if you want good volunteers
Some years ago when I was volunteering on a board, the chairperson turned to me at a meeting and whispered, “I’ve given up way too much of my time for this organization.” I was surprised to hear her say that … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, Management
Tagged leadership development, succession planning, training, vision, volunteering
2 Comments
Stop procrastinating and start hustling
I’ve been thinking about writing about procrastination for some time now, but I keep putting it off. Ha, ha, but it’s true. For some people, this post will seem foreign. You are the ones who tackle every project with gusto … Continue reading
Why limitations can lead to greater creativity
My guitar teacher, Matt, likes to remind me that there are only 12 notes in music—A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G and G#. Millions of songs and compositions, from hip-hop to classical, and they all … Continue reading
Posted in Management, Marketing
Tagged 12 notes, brainstorming, constraints, creativity, Dr. Seuss, guitar, Hemingway, limitations
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